Vehicle-tire.



J F. WILMUT.

VEHICLE TIRE.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

2 SHEETS SHEET l.

J. F. WIL

VEHICLE T Arrmonron rum: AUG. a1. 190s.

909,978. Y Patented .18.11.19, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET @WWw m,

Mys*

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. WILMOT, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

VEHICLE-TIRE.

Specification o! Letters Patent.

Patented Jen. I9, 1909.

Application led August 27, 1906. Serial No. 332,128.

citizen of the United States, residing at Der troit, in the county of l-Vayne and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Vehicle-Tires, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a novel construction of rubber tire, whereby it shall possess the quality of strength and that of resiliency throughout its tread-portion, and particularly at the points of contact with obstructions in its ath, and at the same time be puncture-proc in the sense of remaining unimpaired, as to function, by puncturing.

Referring to the accompanying drawings-Figure 1 is a broken View, showing my improved tire in cross-sectional elevation; Fig. 2, a broken perspective view showing details of the spring-construction; Fig. 3, a broken View of the tire in side elevation, representing a. portion of the canvas-lined ru ber cover removed to display the preferred diagonal disposition of the springs and showing b dotted representation one o a number of folds in a side of the cover; Fi 4, a section taken at the line 4 on Fig. 3 an viewed in the direction of the arrow; and Fig. 5, an ed e view of a spring-set, showin a modifie construction. 1

At 4 is represented the felly of a wheel and one of the spokes is shown at 5. A channelsteel rim 6 surrounds the felly and has conlined about it, centrally, a solid-rubber4 or other cushion 7 preferabl of the shape illustrated. Similar sets or unches of springs are rovided in series about the wheel, at suita le intervalsfsay of one-eighth ofan inch, apart (though they may overlap one another at their tread-portions without departure from my invention) to extend transversely or, and preferably as shown in Fig. 3, diagonally across the rim, each set comprising as its preferred construction, an outer lea -spring 8 ofthe bowed shape Illustrated between its perforated strai ht ends 8, and a pluralit of shorter bowe leaf-springs 9 10, each aving a straight perforated en like theends 8 of the outer sprin and extending from opposite sides of t e rim in overlapping relation, with their free ends reaching Ipast. the 'center of the t-retread. Each spring-set is represented as composed of twoA of the springs 9 fastened at their straight ends, with one end 8 of Vthe sprin 8, to the rim 6 by a bolt 11 passe through one of the rim-flanges, and two of the springs 10 similarly fastened by a bolt 11 passinv through the other rim-flange and the adqacent'ends of the springs 8 and 10. Thus In each springset the bowed springs 9 and 10 extend in opposite directions across the rim and overla each other at their free ends, which reac )ast the circumferential center of the wheel. he spring-sets in the circumferential series thereof are elastically connected together at each side of the tire by an annular sprin metal band 12 provided at intervals Wit inwardly-projecting perforated ears 13, which may be rivetedto the band, as shown, and which embrace the members of the spring-sets at their edge-portions; and a thin steel rod 14 asses through each circumferential series of) the ears 13 to extend about the inner surfaces of the annular series of sprin sets These bands, with the rod-connecte ears, keep the spring-sets properly spaced and ermit each set to be removed inde endent y of the other sets; and they furt Iermore serve to reinforce the s ringsets and maintain them in upright con ition. An annular cover 15, which may be the usual canvas-lined rubber sheath of the pneumatic tire, envelops the s ring-sets and ts about its edges against t e outer sides of the rim 6, to which it is fastened, as by bolts 16 passed, at suitable intervals, throuv the edge-portions of the cover, throu h t e rim-flanges and transversely throng the base-portion of the cushion 7 to fasten it in lace. The heads and nuts 17 on the bolt 16 18 inter osed between them and the respectively a jacent edge-portions of the cover 1.5 and alford a specles of binding for the said edge-portions of the cover 15, as Well as Washers.

The described construction renders the tire highly resilient throughout, since the s ringsets are strong and elastic, the mem ers 9 and 10 supplementing each other and also the continuous outer s ring 8, in resilient action,`although the spring 8 may be omitted without departure from my invention; and it is not essential, moreover that it shall if used, be elastic, for it ma be a. mere yiel ing retaining-band for t e inner springs. The resilient action of the tire is rendered such, by theeonstruction involving the individual spring-sets in the circumferential wear against continuous or sectional rings series thereof, that an indentation produced in the tread-portion y its encounterin an obstruction in its path, will be confine to. the point of contact and not be distributed over any great proportion of the tread-surface, so that the recoil of the tire, in clearing the obstruction by bein localized will be the more sudden andV orcible. llVhen, as may occur, the pressure against the ytire is so great as to force the spring-sets against the cushion, the latter ail'ords an elastically yielding bearin to supplement the springs in their reboun ing action. Moreover, t e means provided for maintaining the sprin sets in upright condition perform the ad itional function, owing to the elasticity of the rings 12 and rods 14, of supplementin the resilient action of the spring-sets; an the construction, besides, renders the tire puncture-proof and very durable. Where the spring-sets are-arranged to extend diagonally, as preferred, the advanta e is a forded of increasing the area o contact thereof with the ground.

To adapt the annular cover 15 to be readily drawn over the series of spring-sets for apiplying and removing it I render its inner si e extensible by providing it there, at intervals of six inches, more or less, apart, with sections of thin folding material preferably relatively thin rubber. One o these folding sections is shown in Fi 4 and by dotted representation in Fig. 3, in the form of an insert 19 between severed ends of the canvas-lined structure, formed of the relatively thin material in the shape of a gusset having its lateral edges cemented or otherwise astened to the adjacent ends of the severed canvas lining and folding u on itself a ainst the inner surface of sai linin T ese insertions render the cover extensib e about the side thereof provided with them, whereby in ap lying or removing the cover it may be rea ily expanded over the bowed sprin sets; and when so applied, each insert 'may e readil tucked or folded upon itself into the con ition represented in Fig. 4. The bolts 16 and washer-bands 18 secure the inserts in their folded condition to prevent loosening of the cover when in place by expension of itsinsertequipped side.

In the modified construction illustrated in Fig. 5, the inner bowed springs, of varying length within the band-,8, and which are denote -by 9, are fastened to one side only of the rim to extend with their free ends one overla ping the other toward the tpposite` side of) the rim. This construction orms a desirable embodiment of my invention, and may i` 'volve a greater number than re resent of the springs 9, or a lesser num r.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

' 1. In a. vehicle-tire, the combinationof a wheel-rim, a circumferential series of spring-V sets, each comprisin sets, each comprisin an outer yielding re taining band fastene at'its 'endsto opposite sides of the rim, and inner bowed s rings fastened to the rim to extend with their free ends reachin partway across it, and a cover `enveloping t e spring-sets.

2. In a vehicle-tire, the combination of a wheel-rim, a circumferential series of springsets each com rising an outer yielding retaining band astened at its ends to o posite sides of the rim and a plurality o inner bowed springs o different len hs fastened to the rim to extend one upon t e other with their free'ends reaching partway across it, and a cover envelo ing the springgsets.

3. In a vehicle-tire, the combination of a wheel-rim, a circumferential series of springsets, each comprising an`outer yielding retaining bowed leafspring fastened at its ends to opposite sides of the rim, and 'an inner bow leaf-spring fastened at one end to a side of the rim to extend with its free end past the circumferential center of the tire-tread, and a cover enveloping the springsets.

4. In a vehicle-tire, the combination of a ,wheel-rim, a circumferential series of springsets, each comprisi bowed springs fastened to the rim to exteirilg therefrom in relatively opposite directions and one over the other in overlapping relation with their free ends reaching past the circiiinferential center of ,the tire-tread, and a. cover enveloping ^the sprin -sets 5. n a vehicle-tire, the combination of a wheel-rim, a circumferential series of springan outer yielding retaining band secure at its ends to opposite sides of the rim, and/inner bowed springs fastened to the rim to extend therefrom in relatively opposite directions and one over the other in overlapping relation with their 'ends reaching past the circumferentialcenter of the tire-tread, and a cover enveloping the spring-sets.

6. wheel-rim, a circumferential series of springsets, each comprising an outer bowed spring secured at its ends to opposite sides of the rim, and inner bowed springs fastened to the rim to extend therefrom in relatively opposite directions and one over the other in overlapping relation with their ends reaching past the circumferential center of the tire-tread, and a cover enveloping the sprin -sets.

.7; n a-vehicletire, the combination'of a whel-rim, a circumferential series of` diagonally extending spring-sets, comprisin bowed springs fastened tothe rim to exten therefrom in relativelyopposite directions and one over the other in overlapping relation with their free ends reaching past the circumferential center of the tire-tread, and

a cover enveloping the spring-sets.

In a vehicle-tire, the combination of a.

8. In a vehicletire, the combination of a wheel-rim, a circumferential series of diagonally-extending spring sets, each comprising an outer bowed s ring secured at its ends to opposite sides o the rim, and inner bowed springs fastened to the rim to extend therefrom in relatively opposite directions and one over the other in overlapping relation with their` free ends reaching past the circumferential center of the tire-tread, and a cover envelopin the spring-sets.

9; In a vehic e-tire, the combination of a wheel-rim, a circumferential series of springsets, each com rising a plurality of bowed springs secur at o poslte sides of the rim to extend one over t e other across it, elastic means on each side of the series of springsets for resiliently supporting them 1n upright condition, and acover enveloping the spring-sets.

10. In a vehicle-tire, the combination of a wheel-rim, a circumferential series of springsets, each comprisin bowed springs fastened to the rim to ext/en therefrom in relatively opposite directions and one over the other in overlapping relation with their free ends reaching past the circumferential center of the tire-tread, elastic'reinforcing means on each side of the series of springsets, and a cover enveloping the spring-sets;

11. In a vehicle-tire, the combination of a wheel-rim, a circumferential series of springsets, each comprising an outer bowed spring A `secured at its ends to opposite sides of the rim, and inner bowed springs fastened to the rim to extend therefrom in relatively opposite directions and one over the other in overlapping relation with their free ends reaching past the circumferential center of the tire-tread, elastic reinforcing means on each side of the series of spring-sets, and a cover enveloping the spring-sets.

12. In a vehicle-tire, the combination of a wheel-rim, a circumferential series of s ringsets, each comprising a plurality of owed springs secured at opposlte sides of the rim to extend across it, members of each set ex- V tending in relatively opposite directions and one over the other in overlapping relation with their free. ends reaching past the circum'ferential center of the tire-tread, annular metal bands extending about the outer sides of said series of spring-sets and each provided at intervals' with perforated spaclng-ears extending between the spring-sets and having an annular rod passing through and connecting them,l and a cover envelop- Y ing the spring-sets.

13. In a vehicle-tire, the combination of a channel-sha ed wheel-rim, 'a circumferential series o spring-sets, each comprising an outer bowed spring extending from ange to flange of said rim, and inner bowed springs extending in relatively opposite directions one over the othei` from the oppoently of the other spring-sets, to the rim,

and a cover enveloping said spring-sets. 14. In a vehicle-tire, the combination of a channel-sha v ed wheel-rim, a circumferential series o spring-sets, each comprising an outer bowed spring extending from flange to flange of said rim, and inner bowed springs extending in relatively opposite directions one over the other from the opposite rim-flanges and in overlapping relation with their free ends reachin past the circumferential center of the tire-tread, bolts passing throu h the rim-flan es and through the flatwise a uttin ends o the sprin of each set to secure 1t to the rim, a ru ber coverenveloping said spring-sets, and bolts passing at intervals between said sets through the edge-portions of the cover and rim to fasten the cover in place.

15. In a vehicle-tire, the combination of a channel-shaped wheelrim, a cushion surf rounding said rim, a circumferential series of spring-sets, each comprising an outer bowed spring extending from flange to {iange of said rim and inner bowed springs extending in relatively opposite directions one over the other from the"opposite rimflanges and in overlapping relation with their free ends reaching past the circumferential center of the tire-tread, bolts passing through the rim-flanges and through the iiatwise abutting ends of the springs of each set to secure it to the rim, a rubber cover enveloping said spring-sets, and bolts passing at intervals between said sets through the edge-portions of the cover uand through the rim-Hanges and cushion.

16. A vehicle-tire, comprising, in combination, a channel-shaped Wheel-rim, acushion surrounding said rim, a circumferential series of sprin -sets, each comprising a plurality of bowe springs bolted at their ends to the rim-flanges to extend across said cushion, annular s ring-metal bands about the outer sides `o sald spring-sets, provided with inwardly projecting perforated ears extending between said sets and Ian annular metal rod on the inner side of each springset lpassing through the respective series of ears to connect them together, a rubber cover enveloping said s ring-sets, and bolts passing at intervals etween said sets through the edge-portions of the cover and through the rim-flanges and cushion.

17. In a vehicle-tire, the combination of a whee1-rim, a circumferential resilient cushion on said rim, a cover enveloping said cushion and rovided with slits at intervals in its sides olding inserts secured to each sideof the slits, and means for securing the cover in place.

18. In a vehicle-tire, the combnationzof a wheel-rim, a circumferential series of springsets, eachpcom rising a plurality of owed. springs secure at o posite sides ofthe r'im to extend one over e other aeross it, and a cover enveloping said spring-sets provided at intervals about. one side with fo ding inserts, for the purpose set forth.-

19. In a vehicle-tire, the combination'of a wheel-rim, a circumferential :series of s ringsets, each comprising a plurality of wed comme springs secured at o posite sides of the rim to extend one over t e other across it and a cover of canvas-lined rubber removaaly se-` cured inJ lace to envelo said spring-sets and provided at inter-va s about one side with folding gusset-shaped inserts of rela- :tfiigelr thin material, for the purpose set o t f JOHN F. WILMOT.

lnpresence of L. HEISLAR, J." H. LANnns. 

